The Glorious Evolution

Alzhukar’s treasury contained far more than artifacts and resources Levi could use for his own growth.

Among its natural treasures were marrow, crystallized blood, and intact glands from ancient Leviathans, materials that rarely reached ordinary stores.

As an established Master Alchemist during his time, Alzhukar collected valuable materials from all sorts of creatures, not just Phoenixes.

Levi kept these treasures as the main attractions for his own Nobility Gathering... but offering a few at the Exchange could help him introduce Dark Sun Beast Trading to prospective customers.

With Ash’Kral’s help, he selected a few specimens valuable enough to interest the appraisers, keeping the rest for his own event.

The company and park could continue their preparations while he trained. By the time of the Exchange, the grand opening should be close enough for him to invite these nobles to attend both it and the separate Leviathan-materials gathering he intended to host.

Auction houses were familiar to him, but this time, he would need to do more than purchase what he wanted and leave.

He actually had to network.

Levi submitted his application as Dark Sun, attached the selected lots, and kept the Syndicate request open.

The gathering was his best lead so far... he wasn’t going to reject an earlier opportunity if someone found suitable nectar.

Only after finishing did he open the accompanying guest information.

Each invited trader or noble could register a companion... In the records supplied with the notice, most nobles attended with their spouses or partners, making the social part of the gathering difficult to overlook.

’There must be a secret afterparty...’ Levi murmured.

Usually, he wouldn’t care about such social gatherings, but not this time... not when the nobles attending would become his customers and give him access to other evolutionary materials.

’You also need a plus-one,’ the Titan advised. ’Going solo is detrimental to your social status in these gatherings... You don’t want to kill it before it starts.’

’He is right,’ Ash’Kral agreed, with a hidden glint in his eyes. ’Also, it is highly advisable to bring the most beautiful girl... the prettier she is, the more points you will score. You might even get invited to the afterparty simply because other nobles want to appreciate her beauty for a few more minutes.’

Jasmine came to Levi’s mind before Ash’Kral finished... she was, without a doubt, the most beautiful girl his senses had ever shown him.

If appearance mattered that much at these gatherings, having her beside him could help considerably.

High Nobles who might otherwise overlook an unfamiliar Baron would have another reason to approach them... and if Ash’Kral wasn’t exaggerating, she might even help him secure an invitation to that afterparty.

Besides, he trusted her; she knew his identities, and dealing with a room full of unfamiliar nobles would be much more pleasant with her around.

The more Levi considered it, the more suitable she became.

He opened her private channel and sent the event notice with its date.

-Do you need me to help with something?-

-I’d like you to come with me... as my companion.-

Jasmine’s answer arrived in two separate messages.

-Your companion?-

-You mean... as your date?-

A date...?

Levi reread his invitation. His thoughts focused on the gathering, the afterparty, and having someone he trusted beside him... none of which he bothered to explain.

-Most of the nobles attend with their spouses or partners. I thought it would be better if we went together.-

After sending it, Levi noticed which word he placed first.

Spouses.

’...’

He added another message, intending to explain why he chose her.

-You were the first person I thought of.-

Levi read the two messages together... then wondered whether deleting one would make this worse.

’Boy... let her answer before you propose anything else.’ Ash’Kral facepalmed.

’I haven’t proposed anything.’

’Then stop explaining.’

Levi coughed and followed his advice.

-Oh... I see.-

Did she?

Her brief answer gave him nothing to work with. She might have understood his reasoning... or decided that he was trying to ask her out in the most complicated way possible.

-You don’t have to if it’s inconvenient.-

-I didn’t say that.-

Before Levi could offer to ask someone else, another message appeared.

-I’ll come.-

His concerns eased at those two words, leaving him relieved enough to forget the clarification he was preparing.

He could still tell her that this was only about the gathering... but adding that now would sound as though he regretted inviting her.

And he didn’t.

-I’ll send you the confirmation once they finish appraising my materials.-

-Alright... I’ve never attended something like this. I hope I won’t embarrass you.-

-You won’t.-

This time, he knew exactly what to say.

-I’d be more comfortable with you there.-

Levi left the message as it was. Whatever else he managed to imply, there was nothing in that sentence he wanted to take back.

-Then I’ll do my best.-

A moment later, she asked another question.

-What should I wear?-

-Something formal, I suppose. Whatever you’re comfortable in.-

-What will you be wearing?-

Levi opened the notice again before realizing that she was asking about his clothes, not the gathering’s requirements.

-I haven’t chosen yet.-

-Tell me when you do. It would be better if we matched.-

-Alright.-

Only after their conversation ended did Levi find himself looking down at his own clothes.

He obtained a companion... and apparently agreed to coordinate their outfits like a genuine couple going to a gathering.

After adding a placeholder for her name to the application, he addressed Ash’Kral.

”Is matching our clothes part of the custom too?”

”Of course.”

Ash’Kral confirmed with a faint grin, uncaring about the Titan’s judging look... the Titan knew at once that the prick was playing matchmaker for Levi and Jasmine, as Ash’Kral still refused to give up on making these two monsters have a baby for his grand scheme.

Even Levi felt like the sly fox was setting him up for something... though he gave up on the notion soon enough, as he had too much work to get done before the Myriad Treasures Exchange.

Starting with his growth to the Evolution Stage.

...

While Levi was already attempting to sneak back to Earth to leech off the Holy Light Pillars, Jasmine opened a dimensional screen and searched for formal clothing.

She rarely accompanied her father to public events... her wardrobe certainly wasn’t ready for an invitation like this.

Neither was she.

Her first date... even if she was only going as Levi’s companion for business.

She knew she shouldn’t make too much of it, but every time she remembered that he thought of her first, she found herself adding another dress to her saved choices with a faint smile.

N’ibby watched as the collection grew, her eyelids twitching.

’Are we opening a shop?’

Jasmine checked the number beside the folder... then quietly removed two.

’I’m comparing them.’

She returned to the listings and found a section for matching outfits. This was closer to what she needed... she had already suggested that they match, after all.

Soon, two models appeared on her screen, wearing a dark gown and a formal coat with silver embroidery.

Jasmine enlarged the coat.

’The cut would suit Levi...’

Though she needed to change the buttons and remove some of the decorations around the shoulders... he didn’t need all that to look good.

She adjusted the preview, trying to picture him arriving to get her in something like this.

’The dress is on the left, Jas.’

N’ibby’s flat reminder brought her back to the other model.

’...I know.’

Jasmine selected the gown, but she didn’t like it nearly as much as the coat... After saving the men’s outfit separately, she continued browsing.

She wanted something beautiful, stunning even... something that would make Levi glad he asked her.

The thought was embarrassing enough that she kept it to herself, but it made choosing easier.

She stopped opening dresses simply because they looked expensive and searched for one she actually wanted to wear.

Eventually, she found it.

Silver branches spread across a white gown, their delicate leaves following the sleeves to the wrists.

The matching coat repeated the pattern at its collar... simple enough that she could picture Levi wearing it without changing half the design.

She selected the design and began checking its customization options when N’ibby interrupted.

’Jas... read the title.’

’I know. It’s a matching set.’

’The part above that.’

Jasmine returned to the top of the page.

Bridal Collection.

’...’

She instantly closed the dimensional screen and left the room to train for a bit... her cheeks slightly reddened.

’At least you’ve still got some sense.’ N’ibby snickered.

’Shut up.’

’Tsk...’